(CNN) - It was sort of lost in the headlines, but Democratic members of the so-called super committee proposed some major changes in Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid spending – something Democrats in general strongly oppose.

As part of their effort to revive the failed Barack Obama-John Boehner budget negotiations of earlier this year, the super committee Democrats put forward a $3 trillion package in deficit reduction over the next 10 years.FULL POST

Washington (CNN) – White House Chief of Staff William Daley is still optimistic that some sort of deficit crisis deal will be worked out by Tuesday’s Treasury-imposed deadline. But he says he’s not so certain about the future of America’s AAA credit rating.

In an exclusive interview with me at the White House, Daley said, “The four leaders of the Congress have said that the debt ceiling will be extended” and he’s “confident that they will come together.”FULL POST

(CNN) - It’s hard not to be a bit cynical in watching politics unfold in Washington.

As you know, the Republicans are all lined up resisting any effort to simply pass an increase in the nation’s debt ceiling with a straight up-or-down vote. They insist on large-scale spending cuts.FULL POST

Washington (CNN) - At the heart of the contentious talks between the White House and congressional Republicans on whether to raise the debt ceiling is a simple, one-sentence document many conservative lawmakers have signed, pledging not to increase taxes.

Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reforms, is a Washington power player who wants to make sure the GOP keeps tax increases out of any debt deal. He sat down with Wolf Blitzer to discuss tax reform and debt negotiations.

(CNN) - I think President Obama and the Democratic and Republican leaders with whom he’s been negotiating an increase in the nation’s debt ceiling all fully appreciate the stakes. Based on everything that I’m hearing, they are all convinced that the consequences of failure would be a huge disaster for the U.S. economy and the American people. It probably would make the 2008-09 recession look like child’s play.FULL POST